My name is Danielle. I'm 37 and the mother of 5 kids, including 4 year old triplets.I've battled obesity since I was a child and finally made the decision to get the lap-band 3 years ago after developing high blood pressure and sleep apnea and topping the scales at 374. I lost 100 lbs in less than a year which was a plus. But about 6 months after being banded I began having abdominal and chest pain and having food back up into my esophagus forcing me to vomit for hours. This would usually last about 12 hours and resulted in several ER visits. I got into a vicious cycle where my band would slowly get tightened every month and then I would have an episode and they would have to deflate it some. I even had my gallbladder out last year because they thought the pain was gallstones but turned out to be esophageal spasms. This spring they completely deflated my band and I was pain-free for about 2 months. Then the episodes started again. I had an EGD, an esophageal mannometry and an upper GI series and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with my stomach or esophagus. The only thing they can recommend is to revise to a bypass. So insurance approved me and I am just waiting for the date. I hope this surgery helps and doesn't make my situation worse. I look forward to taking this journey with all of you.

Danielle

Update:

Having to put my surgery on hold because I just found out I am pregnant with my 6th child. I guess the weight loss from the band got rid of my infertility problems. Maybe this is God's way of telling me that this isn't the path I'm supposed to take right now. Hopefully in a year or so I will be getting ready for my revision.

Danielle

Hi Danielle!

I could have written your story as mine...three years ago banded - same problems with gerd and esophagas problems! wow...I'm 34 and had revision surgery to RNY in August. I had a tough recovery due to my surgeon did my revision as mini-open rather than lap...I'm finally feeling like me.

I had gained all my weight back within three years of beingbanded plus some...I'm now down almost 50 pounds and had no pre-op diet. It is such a relief not to get that "stuck" feeling...never thought the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest was a good thing! Now I don't have that...I've gotten sick some post op...mainly learning what I can and can't tolerate and moving from food stages as I advanced in my diet. No more foamies either!

I hope you continue to write here...I'd love all of us to have a place to talk and make some new friends

Hello Danielle and Leslie, I'm here with you too